World Cup Semi Final Preview

With four teams remaining, the world cup is 6 days away from closing. It has been a very memorable event so far. This Tuesday begins the semifinal round, the final four of International soccer.  The final four teams are Brazil, the host, who will be without star player Neymar and team captain Thiago Silva, Germany, a team who too many were the pre-tournament favorites, who have been inconsistent at times during this tournament.  The Netherlands who have exceed many peoples expectations, including mine; however the team has been mostly Arjen Robben with not much assistance from the rest of the team. Then finally Argentina, the team with one of the best players to ever exist Lionel Messi, but similar to Holland, the rest of the team has not shown up on several occasions.

The first match of the semifinals is Brazil and Germany, a matchup filled with two of the biggest favorites in the tournaments; the teams people consider being the top two in the world.  Unfortunately Brazil will not be at top strength without Neymar and Thiago Silva, but neither will Germany. Germany has been without attacking midfielder Marco Reus this entire tournament. Despite both of these issues this is still a great matchup against two sides filled with class and quality. I had picked Brazil to win the tournament, and I would love nothing more to pick Brazil to go through, however recent injuries force me to reconsider. The offense went through Neymar, and Thiago Silva was without a doubt the emotional and defensive leader of the team, the home crowed will lead them to great heights, but Germany will prevail.

The second match on Wednesday is Argentina and the Netherlands, a matchup between two people who have been the top players in this tournament, Lionel Messi and Arjen Robben.  Both play on top teams in Europe, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and both have performed admirably for their country. It also seems that both people have carried their team through the world cup this summer. This is a match where both teams will look to them to perform, that being the case if they cannot, which team will be able to pick up the slack. Argentina have lost Angel Di Maria, but gained prolific striker Sergio Aguero, the Dutch have world class striker Robin Van Persie, who despite two highlight reel goals he has been absent for the last couple of games in this tournament. That being said, the Van Persie can get the service, the Dutch will win this match.